Papal Visit to Knock

September 12, 2018

Mayo Civil Defence under the guidance of the county’s Civil Defence Officer, Ms Rose Doherty and her Management Team played a major role in supporting the Principal Response Agencies at Knock Shrine on 26 August 2018.

Mayo Civil Defence coordinated Civil Defence Units from Mayo, Laois, Roscommon, Galway, Sligo and Donegal during Civil Defence operations at Knock Shrine on the historic occasion of the papal visit. All volunteers gave freely of their time. In total, 140 volunteers worked proudly alongside our Primary Response Agency colleagues in An Garda Siochana, Health Service Executive, Mayo County Council, Mayo Fire & Rescue and the Voluntary Emergency Services of Order of Malta, St John Ambulance and the Irish Red Cross.

The primary role of the 140 personnel was to support An Garda Siochana with site safety and security at Knock Shrine and support of the Health Service Executive with provision of Ambulances at car park zones and at Ireland West Airport (Knock).

Civil Defence utilised the following resources to mount and carry out the operation: